The capital of Estonia, Tallinn, is located on the shores of the Baltic Sea. It dates back to the eleventh century. In different centuries it belonged to the peoples of the Finno-Ugric tribes, Danes, Germans, Swedes, and Russians. It is not surprising that the city preserves the cultural heritage of its diverse history. At different times, he bore the names Kolyvan, Lindanis, Revel.
In 2010, the capital of Estonia was declared the "Cultural Capital of Europe." Prior to this, in 1997, UNESCO included the historical part of the city on the World Heritage List.
What served such a special attention of the European community?
To understand this, you must definitely visit the small Baltic town of Tallinn, which to this day has retained the features of a medieval city. The capital of Estonia is an open-air museum city. From the first minutes, tourists coming here, it is clear that they were in a different era.
The lace interweaving of narrow streets fascinates travelers, I want to go around the town. The most famous streets of Tallinn: Viru street leading to the Old Town, and Pikk Yalg streets (translated as Long Foot) and Luhike Yalg (Short Leg), St. Katarina's Lane.
The old city is divided into two parts: Vyshgorod on Toompea Hill and the Lower Town, which is surrounded by a 13th-century Tallinn city wall. It is noteworthy that the medieval defensive structure had 27 towers, of which 18 remained.
A walk in Tallinn is a real touch to medieval European culture.
Tallinn Town Hall Square is the centerpiece of the old town. The architectural ensemble of Raekoy Square is famous for the City Hall, built at the beginning of the fifteenth century, on which the famous symbol of the weather vane Old Thomas rotates. Here on the square is another celebrity - the Town Hall pharmacy, the oldest in Europe, the first mention of which dates back to 1422.
Citizens are still gathering in this famous Tallinn square, holding funny noisy Christmas markets, knightly tournaments, medieval carnivals.
The capital of Estonia is rich in architectural monuments of 13-15 centuries. This building of the Big Guild is the second largest medieval building, connected with the public life of the old city. These are the houses of famous citizens built in the Gothic style, and the Dominican monastery, many churches, the Long Herman Tower. The tourist route will certainly lead to the Orthodox churches of Alexander Nevsky and Our Lady of Kazan.
An interesting building is the Püchheim Church (Church of the Holy Spirit). The attention of tourists is drawn to the hanging pulpit of the preacher, a wooden altar and a clock built into the outer wall.
The Danish king’s garden at Toompea Castle is noteworthy.
Interesting stories are associated with the tower Tolstaya Margarita. Three adjoining houses of the fifteenth century, called “Three Sisters”, the arch of the Great Sea Gate, adjoin it. The construction of the tower of Tolst Margarita was connected with the defense of the city from the sea. Today the tower is sheltered by the Estonian Maritime Museum.
Several observation platforms have been built in Tallinn, which allow you to view a cozy medieval town from above with amazing beauty. From there, the tallest buildings in Tallinn look good: the spire of the Oliviste church (about one hundred twenty-three meters high), Viru Gate.
Undoubtedly attractive for tourists is the residence of the Russian tsars, the Palace of Peter the Great, in Estonian Kadriorg, which has now become the residence of the President of Estonia.
Yes, in Tallinn there is something to see, but you can relax. The night life in the town does not stop. Theaters, cinema, discos, music clubs, all kinds of cafes, bars do not let travelers get bored.
Shopping in Tallinn has become popular with Russians, especially among residents of St. Petersburg. In Tallinn, there are modern shopping centers as well as all kinds of workshop shops selling traditional Estonian souvenirs. Tourists are very fond of Tallinn ceramics, handmade knitwear, sweets (especially Kalev chocolate) and many other souvenir products.